There is nothing that so much prevents a settlement as a tangle of small surrenders. We are bewildered on every side by politicians who are in favour of secular education, but think it hopeless to work for it; who desire total prohibition, but are certain they should not demand it; who regret compulsory education, but resignedly continue it; or who want peasant proprietorship and therefore vote for something else. It is this dazed and floundering opportunism that gets in the way of everything.
G. K. Chesterton - What’s Wrong with the World? (1910)
It's everywhere, just as it was over a century ago in Chesterton's time - this dazed and floundering opportunism that gets in the way of everything. As if opportunists see the world in terms of personal opportunity rather than trying to connect the dots and do something constructive.
In the world of the opportunist, Net Zero isn't good or bad, sane or insane, but merely an opportunity. Yet many people know well enough that Net Zero is crazy. In which case, why aren't their voices heard? The reason for that was apparent over a century ago too -
It seemed to him that the essential element in these men at the top was their faith that their affairs were the very core of life. All other things being equal, self-assurance and opportunism won out over technical knowledge; it was obvious that the more expert work went on near the bottom — so, with appropriate efficiency, the technical experts were kept there.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Beautiful and Damned (1922)
It seemed to him that the essential element in these men at the top was their faith that their affairs were the very core of life. All other things being equal, self-assurance and opportunism won out over technical knowledge; it was obvious that the more expert work went on near the bottom — so, with appropriate efficiency, the technical experts were kept there.
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Beautiful and Damned (1922)
3 comments:
There's a board game (which I have not played) called Courtier:
The social elite of Tempest live in a world of power, intrigue, and alliances that can often shake the very foundations of the city’s society. In Courtier, you move within these circles of social power to further your goals. Work with established courtiers to gain influence and stymie the rise of your rivals as you attempt to earn or cheat your way into their world.
To courtiers struggling for position in the Elite gaining influence is the only thing in their lives. The means (Climate Change, Net Zero, Lockdowns) have little to do with reality but are merely moves in the game - and so worthy of their support.
Yes, I think opportunistic politicians hitch their wagon to whatever ideas they think can give them traction. There's nothing much we can do about that, and I don't think we should start favouring "experts" and technical solutions. Probably the best we can do is to sabotage the ridiculous ideas - grease the road so they don't gain traction. Conversely, for those with a talent for explanation and promotion, to make clear and interpret the good ideas.
DJ - it is interesting to read about the court of Henry VIII and his courtiers. It sounds very much like the game you describe, a closed world of moves in a game nobody outside can play. Ordinary people don't count at all unless they become uppity.
Sam - and "experts" are recruited by opportunists so are likely to be opportunists themselves. I have a notion that the ridiculous ideas could sabotage themselves as failure itself becomes an opportunity for others. For example, Bud Light has become a mistake others don't want to make. Smart motorways too. Heat pumps could become conspicuously problematic.
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